Light show
On that day, most of the hotels and buildings in the city's center flip the switch and illuminate their rooftops, sides and entry halls. Meanwhile, department store Domy Towarowe Centrum has had Christmas lights strung around its buildings since 1993. But the tower that pioneered sprucing up during the holidays was the Marriott Hotel on Aleje Jerozolimskie, which lit up for the first time 10 years ago.
"These Christmas decorations make Domy Centrum's area my favorite one in Warsaw at Christmas time," said Gosia, a young mother who was out shopping with her two children.
Other strollers have their own picks. "I prefer the Holiday Inn. Its lighting makes a very good impression," said Beata, who works at an advertising company.
While the decorating of department stores, hotels and office buildings may just signal the start of the Christmas season for pedestrians, it is a more serious issue for the companies that put up the displays.
One company, Neo, has decorated Warsaw since 1991. Owner Adam Szpinak said that the interest in Christmas lights has grown significantly in recent years, and Neo's sales have followed suit. The company pulled in revenue of zl. 38,000 in 1991, which grew to zl. 200,000 in 1994. Szpinak, however, would not disclose revenue for this year or last. The company, which decorates the DT Centrum buildings (Junior, Sawa Wars, Smyk), earns 90% of its revenue during the holidays, Szpinak said. He said the company has 25 long-standing contracts to string up lights, and 10 new ones that begin this year.
The jobs are large. At the DT Centrum, 12,000 light bulbs adorn the four buildings and run up a zl. 44,000 electricity bill during the season, said Maria Jarzebinska from the refurbishing department at DT Junior.
Another client, the Forum Hotel, illuminates itself with a display of flicking lights that look like falling stars. The display uses 1,800 light bulbs, which shine 11-hours a day for 50 days.
Bogdan Worach, manager in the Forum's technical department, said that one reason the hotel uses Neo is because the company can handle the decorations, set up and design from start to finish.
"At that time his (Szpinak's) idea was one of the best ones," Worach said. "We pay only for assembly every year."
But Neo is not the only company operating on the market. Another firm, Studio Reklamowe "Neo-Kolor" offers visual displays that consist of lighting ropes and fiber optics. However, the more simple lights the company installs at Christmas account for 50-60% of annual sales, said Beata Kolakowska, co-owner of the firm.
Another contender is Contra Iluminacje Swietlne, which offers services all year round as well. Contra's president, Stanislaw Wyszynski, said that his company targets the wealthiest of clients, such as Bank Pekao, the Europejski Hotel and the President's Palace. About 30% of the company's revenue comes from Christmas displays.
One newcomer to the practice is Neo-Kolor client Victoria Hotel on plac Pilsudskiego, which will hang lights for the first time this year.
"The Victoria is perfectly located, so it would be a pity if the hotel was not decorated with Christmas elements," said Agnieszka Kasprzak, head of Victoria's commercial department.
"These Christmas decorations make Domy Centrum's area my favorite one in Warsaw at Christmas time," said Gosia, a young mother who was out shopping with her two children.
Other strollers have their own picks. "I prefer the Holiday Inn. Its lighting makes a very good impression," said Beata, who works at an advertising company.
While the decorating of department stores, hotels and office buildings may just signal the start of the Christmas season for pedestrians, it is a more serious issue for the companies that put up the displays.
One company, Neo, has decorated Warsaw since 1991. Owner Adam Szpinak said that the interest in Christmas lights has grown significantly in recent years, and Neo's sales have followed suit. The company pulled in revenue of zl. 38,000 in 1991, which grew to zl. 200,000 in 1994. Szpinak, however, would not disclose revenue for this year or last. The company, which decorates the DT Centrum buildings (Junior, Sawa Wars, Smyk), earns 90% of its revenue during the holidays, Szpinak said. He said the company has 25 long-standing contracts to string up lights, and 10 new ones that begin this year.
The jobs are large. At the DT Centrum, 12,000 light bulbs adorn the four buildings and run up a zl. 44,000 electricity bill during the season, said Maria Jarzebinska from the refurbishing department at DT Junior.
Another client, the Forum Hotel, illuminates itself with a display of flicking lights that look like falling stars. The display uses 1,800 light bulbs, which shine 11-hours a day for 50 days.
Bogdan Worach, manager in the Forum's technical department, said that one reason the hotel uses Neo is because the company can handle the decorations, set up and design from start to finish.
"At that time his (Szpinak's) idea was one of the best ones," Worach said. "We pay only for assembly every year."
But Neo is not the only company operating on the market. Another firm, Studio Reklamowe "Neo-Kolor" offers visual displays that consist of lighting ropes and fiber optics. However, the more simple lights the company installs at Christmas account for 50-60% of annual sales, said Beata Kolakowska, co-owner of the firm.
Another contender is Contra Iluminacje Swietlne, which offers services all year round as well. Contra's president, Stanislaw Wyszynski, said that his company targets the wealthiest of clients, such as Bank Pekao, the Europejski Hotel and the President's Palace. About 30% of the company's revenue comes from Christmas displays.
One newcomer to the practice is Neo-Kolor client Victoria Hotel on plac Pilsudskiego, which will hang lights for the first time this year.
"The Victoria is perfectly located, so it would be a pity if the hotel was not decorated with Christmas elements," said Agnieszka Kasprzak, head of Victoria's commercial department.
